Baghdad Urban Observatory

مرصد بغداد العمراني

An independent platform tracking construction and urban development in Baghdad. We document what gets built, analyse what is planned, critique with the aim of improvement, and learn from advanced cities around the world.

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What we track

Four areas we cover consistently, so that anyone who cares about Baghdad can see clearly how the city is being built.

Project tracking

Field photos, completion rates and a clear comparison between announced deadlines and reality for every major project in Baghdad.

Engineering and economic analysis

Does the project actually solve the problem? Is it economically justified? We explain it in plain language.

Lessons from advanced cities

How leading cities solved transport, housing and riverfront challenges, and what Baghdad can learn from them.

Urban heritage

Al-Rasheed Street, traditional Baghdadi houses and the city's architectural identity, and how to protect and revive them.

Our principles

Credibility is the Observatory's most valuable asset. These are the rules behind everything we publish.

Critique for improvement
We critique projects and decisions, not people, and we always propose an alternative. Our goal is a better city.
Independence
We are not affiliated with any government, political or commercial body, or with any website or page using a similar name. We openly disclose any support or partnership.
Documented information
Every figure we publish has a source: a photo, an official document or statement, or a clear engineering analysis.
Public corrections
When we get something wrong, we correct it as clearly as we published it, and we thank whoever pointed it out.

The Iraq Urban Observatory network

Baghdad is the first observatory in the network. The vision is an observatory for every Iraqi city, sharing one identity and one set of principles.